Method and apparatus for coiling wire



Feb. 24, 1970 E. RETH ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WIRE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 50, 1966 I1 w I Cv/I m H l l s |f/\,\ F\\ H m3A mmm m m. C I. A A A l L wladw A AAF/ Hf/4, \\^A\|/ L WMHHA RYvl @wwwwl 4% @www I Nif SWW mw. Hl Ijan AU/INN. Q. l 67W nf A. .m kw id .A myo., m mm .s mi :.A Wk I Feb. 24, 1970 E. RETI-1 Erm.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COILING WIRE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed JuneI 30,1966 Wen/va? cow/12 Br' nf'wwzzse..

United States Patent Giitice 3,496,966 Patented Feb. 24, 1970 Int. c1.B21f 3/04 U.S. Cl. 140-1 12 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A method oftreating wire after it is coiled in a heated state upon leaving arolling mill and is treated by cooling as it is moved downwardly in acooling shaft after the coils are formed, comprises accumulating coilsof wire adjacent the bottom of the cooling shaft until a predeterminedamount is collected in a coil stack. Thereafter the supports for thecoil stacks are moved away to permit the accumulated coil stack to dropdownwardly to a collection base. The supports are returned to theiroriginal position and a few coils are permitted to accumulate in a newstack while maintaining the wire connection between the new stack andthe stack which has been dropped downwardly. Thereafter the connectioncoil of wire between the two stacks is cut away. The method facilitatesthe maintenance of the newly formed coils in a stack orientation withoutdisplacement. The cutting of the wire connection between eachsuccessively formed coiled stack is made only after a few coils of thenewly formed stack are rst accumulated on a support.

A device for carrying out the method includes a support made up of twosupporting elements which are movable toward each other adjacent thebottom of the vertical shaft in order to support the coils for stackaccumulation. The supporting elements are moved apart to drop each stackafter a sucient number of coils has accumulated. When the supportingelements are moved together again, they separate one coil stack fromanother and permit accumulation of a new coil stack thereon while theconnection between the successive stacks is maintained. Directly belowthe movable members is a cutting knife and a sweep arm which directs theconnecting coil of wire between the old and the new stacks intoassociation with the cutting knife.

SUMMARY 'OF THE INVENTION The invention relates in general to a methodand apparatus for treating rolled wires coming directly from a rollingmill and in particular to a new and useful device for receiving andholding successively fed coils of such wires with means associatedtherewith for cutting the wire to separate the individual coils and alsoto improved means for forming the peripheries of the stacks of the wireswhich are fed from a cooling shaft in which the wire coils are formedand treated.

Wires which are formed in a rolling mill are directed from the rollingmill into a vertical annular shaft in which the wires are formed into acoil form and deposited on means for delivering the successive coilspast a station traversed by cooling air. The present invention providesmeans for channeling the coils of wire after they are delivereddownwardly from the cooling shaft.

'The problem of dealing with the coils is that the wire turns must beoriented in the coil position concentrically to the longitudinal axis ofthe shaft in which they are separated from adjacent groups of coils ofsuch wire. In accordance with the invention, this is accomplished byarranging directly below the cooling shaft means for handling the coilgroups of wire without requiring a lateral displacement beforeseparation or transfer to a conveyor.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided below the coolingshaft two platform members which are movable on a trackway toward andaway from each other and which provide a support when moved together fora coiled stack of wire. Associated with the trackway is a member forengaging the length of wire which extends between a coil resting on thecable platform and the one fed downwardly onto a centering mandreltherebelow. The member catches the free length between the coils atwhatever location it may be in and moves it into association with one oranother of a plurality of cutting elements which are arrangedtherebeneath. A feature of the construction is that without affectingthe position of the accumulated coil of wire on the platform, it ispossible to withdraw the platform elements outwardly at which time thereoccur two equal and opposite forces which prevent the coil from movingsideways. During this movement, the separation of the next coil isachieved when the platforms are moved backwardly to begin theaccumulation of a new coil stack. The catching elements arranged belowthe platform will sweep through an arc to engage the connecting lengthof wire between successive coils (that is, the one accumulating on theplatform elements and the one which has just been directed downwardlyonto a collecting platform over and around a centering mandrel) anddirect it toward means for severing the coil and the connecting length.The centering mandrel is advantageously mounted so that it may bewithdrawn downwardly through an opening in the collecting bottom orplatform so that the coil may be pushed to a wire coil tying machineafter it is formed around the mandrel. In some instances, the collectingplatform may be made in the form of a conveyor belt `for advancing thecoil to the next station.

In a further development of the invention, there is provided between thecooling shaft for cooling the newly formed coils of wire and the movablecollective platform elements a vertical cylindrical shaft having anupper aperture consisting of a rotation ring with guide means fordirecting the wire turns. In the preferred form, the guide means areangled inwardly and downwardly and provide a means for insuring theuniform stacking of the wire turns so that their outermost portions willlie in a circular ring. In this manner the loops of wire are stacked inuniform layers of cylindrical cross section suitable for being loweredonto a collecting bottom and centered over a centering mandrel.According to a feature of this inventive concept, the guide meansincludes one or more arms which are rigidly fastened to the rotatingring and which press against the periphery of the wire turns towards andagainst the diametrically opposite smooth shaft wall of the cylindricalmember. The guiding arms each include an oblique portion extendinginwardly for guiding the turns downwardly gradually and a straightportion which presses against the periphery of the four coils in acircular. The circumferential speed of the arm is regulated according tothe number of turns produced per unit of time. The spacing in ahorizontal plane of a wire turn can be inuenced by the speed of therotation of the ar-m.

A further characteristic of the invention is the drive for the movableplatform elements upon which the coils are deposited after they leavethe cooling shaft. The platform elements are mounted so that they may berolled backwardly and forwardly along a trackway and the movement iscontrolled by a fluid piston engine having piston rod elements connectedseparately to the individual platform members. The weight of the coilsupon the platforms permits the easy withdrawal of the two platformelements outwardly to permit the coils to drop downwardly. Only theempty weight of the platform elements must be moved upon closing. In thepreferred arrangement, the actuation of the fluid piston engine isaccomplished by switch means as a function of the wire weight collectedon the bottom platform elements. Such switch means are adjustable instages for minimum weights of the coil with the beginnings adapted tothe large coil diameters and wire diameters.

A further feature of the invention is the arrangement of the catcherelements which are designed as two armed levers which are mounted sothat they will pivot through arcs to engage a collecting length of wirebetween two successive coils regardless of its location. The location ofthe connecting length of wire of the coil will vary so that the arm onone side may in some instances engage the connecting wire and direct itto a cutter arm on the adjacent side, or the arm on the opposite sidemay move the connecting length to a cutter arranged on its side. Thelevers may be arranged in different parallel planes so that overlappingmovements are possible. In this manner one lever is certain to seize theloop or to pass it to the other lever. In some instances the platformmembers may themselves be designed as catcher elements to insure thatthe connecting link of wire cable is directed into association with acutting element. When separate levers are employed as catchers they areadvantageously movable along with the movement of the platform members.

A further characteristic is the provision of shears which are mountedfor association with each catcher or lever arm member for guiding theconnecting length of cable into association with the cutter. The shearsare such that their mass need not be either accelerated or retarded. Theshears are advantageously secured to the collecting shaft circumferenceat diametrically opposite locations. They may be controlled by limitswitches arranged in the guide track for the platform members so thatthey will be actuated to cut off the connecting length of wire forexample when the platform members are closed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device forreceiving a newly coiled wire from a cooling tower or shaft and Iforsupporting the wire in a position above cutting elements on a movableplatform and to sever successive groups of coils of such wire and tothereafter permit the wire to be moved onto a collecting bottom orplatform in which the groups of coils are collected for transfer to afurther location.

A further object of the invention is to provide a ring guiding memberfor use in association with a movable platform element on whichsuccessively formed groups of coiled wire are positioned and whichincludes a rotating guide member for insuring a cylindrical formation ofeach of the coils as they are deposited.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method of treatingwire which is formed directly from a rolling mill and then cooled in acooling tower comprising directing the wire directly from the coolingtower onto a receiving platform for forming a coiled stack of apredetermined number of coils, cutting the connecting wire between theformed coil and the previously formed coil and dropping the newly formedcoil downwardly onto a collecting bottom.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wire coil treating andforming device which is simple in design, rugged in construction andeconomical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical axial sectional view of a device for cutting newlyformed coils of wire into stacks having a predetermined number of coilsconstructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the device;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied thereinas indicated in FIGS. 1 3 comprises a device for forming and separatinggroups of coiled stacks of wires which are delivered or which falldownwardly from a tower or shaft 10 in which the newly formed coils arecooled. The wire turns 51 are dropped so that they are collected over ashaft bottom or platform generally designated 22. The platform inaccordance with the invention includes two platform elements or platformhalves 22a and 22b having rollers 21 which are guided for lateralmovement on a trackway or guide 20. The movement of the platformelements 22a and 22b is controlled by a fluid pressure-operated pistonengine 52 having a connecting rod 52a connected through a crank arm 53ato a double lever 53. One arm of the double lever 53 is connectedthrough a linkage 53' to one end of the table 22a and the other arm ofthe lever 53 is connected through a linkage S3 and additional linkage53" to one end of the platform 22b. Actuation of the fluid operatedcylinder 52 causes movement of the piston and its associated connectingrod 52a to effect the displacement of the tables 22a and 22b eithertoward each other or away from each other. When the bottom supportingplates 22a and 22b are moved outwardly, the coil of wire which hasaccumulated thereon is dropped downwardly over the mandrel 24 onto acollecting bottom 23. The collecting bottom 23 in the embodimentillustrated may advantageously comprise a platform or wall member havingan opening through which the centering mandrel 24 may be moved invertical directions. The mandrel may be extended to the positionindicated in FIG. 1 in order to provide a centering element for stackinga coiled -bundle 54 therearound.

When the coil 54 has reached its specified height or the specifiedweight, the fluid operated piston engine 52 is actuated to return thebottom portions 22a and 22b together leaving a gap 221.` as shown inFIG. 3. At this time control means (not shown) are provided foractuating a pair of double armed levers 55 which are pivotally mountedadjacent diametrically opposite ends of a receiving or stacking shaft 9.The outer ends 55b are moved through a curved path under the guidance ofa movable member or stop element 57 which bear against elements 55a onthe arms. The end 55b sweep the area beneath the platform 22a and 22band one or the other of the arms will engage the length of connectingcable 51a between the completed stack 54 of the coils and the newlyforming stack 54. Connecting cable length 51a iS directed by theassociated arm 55 into association with one of the cutter mechanismsgenerally designated 58 and 58. The cutter mechanisms include shearingmembers which are moved together to sever the connecting cable 51abetween the two formed coil stacks.

The mandrel 24 is then lowered into the platform or bottom wall 23 tofree the stack 54 so that it can be moved to a following treatmentstation. In some instances the mandrel may comprise a reel which may berotated. 'Ihe arms 55 are advantageously actuated by movement of theplatforms 22a and 22b so that they will move the connecting length 51ainto association with the cutter for severing the same when the twoplatform parts 22a and 22b are moved together. They are returned totheir starting position after their platform bottom halves 22a and 22bhave been returned together to a closed position.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-6 in addition to the mechanismindicated in FIGS. l-3 there is provided a vertical cylindrical coilstack-forming cylinder generally designated 61 which is located betweenthe treatment or cooling air shaft and the receiving or stacking shaft9. As indicated the cylindrical shaft 61 is mounted on brackets 70directly above the movable platform members 22a and 22b. A toothed rimor wheel member 62 is rotatably mounted adjacent the top of the cylinder61 and is driven from a gear 63a aixed to a shaft of a motor 63. The rim62 is carried on a ring plate 62a upon which is mounted a mouth ring orfrustoconical member 62b. The structural group comprising the tooth rim62, the plate 62a and the mouth ring 62b is guided at several points ofthe circumference of the cylinder 61 by means of rolls 62C.

When the motor 63 is rotated the mouth ring assembly including the rim62, the plate 62a and the mouth 62b is rotated to rotate guide meanscomprising an arm 64 therewith. The arm 64 includes an oblique portion64a and a vertical portion 64b which provide the double function ofguiding the wire downwardly into a stack and then insuring that it isformed into a cylindrical formation.

The rotation of the vertical bar 64b around with the mouth ring causesthe wires to form into an even cylinder so that when the wire turns aredeposited on the plat form parts 22a and 22b they describe cyclic curveswhich always lie with their greatest diameters on the inside diameter ofthe shaft and with their smallest diameters on the circle described bythe arm 64. When a suicient number of windings have collected on theshaft bottom portions 22a and 22b they move the part to permit the coilto drop downwardly over the mandrel 24 and to effect the cutting of theconnecting cable 51a which is between the newly formed stack and thenext stack to be formed on the platform parts 22a and 22b when they aremoved together.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for forming coils of wire into individual coils and bundlescomprising a treatment shaft for transporting and treating newly coiledwire, a coil stack supporting bottom located below said treatment shaftin a position to receive and accumulate successively fed coils of wireinto a coiled stack, said supporting bottom including at least twomovable bottom coils supporting portions movable away from each other towithdraw from support of the stack and to permit the stack to falldownwardly and movable together to form a support for accumulating thecoils of wire, means for moving said bottom coil supporting portions,receiving means below said coil stack supporting bottom for receivingthe coiled stack which is permitted to fall, and cutting means disposedbetween said receiving means and said coil stack supporting bottom forcutting the wire at a location between the formed stacks in saidreceiving means and the wire being transported by said treatment shaftonto said supporting bottom.

2. A device according to claim 1, including a horizontal trackway, saidbottom coil supporting portions being rollable on said trackway, and afluid pressureoperated piston motor connected to said bottom coilsupporting portions for displacing said portions toward and away fromeach other.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein said cutting means includes acatching member, and means mounting said catching member for movementthrough an arc below said bottom coil supporting portions to engage the6 length of coil between a coiled stack in said receiving means and thestack being formed on said supporting bottom.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said cutting means includes acatching member, and means mounting said catching member for movementthrough an arc below said bottom coil supporting portions to engage thelength of coil between a coiled stack in said receiving means and thestack being formed on said supporting bottom.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein said cutting means includes aseparate cutting element located at at least diametrically oppositelocations on each side of said receiving means, and catching means forengaging a length of cable and directing it into association with aselected one of said cutting elements.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein said cutting means includes aseparate cutting element located at at least diametrically oppositelocations on each side of said receiving means, and catching means forengaging a length of cable and directing it into association with aselected one of said cutting elements.

7. A device according to claim 1 including a cylindrical guide shaftlocated between said treatment shaft and said coil stack supportingbottom and including guide means for forming the coils into a uniformvertical stack as it is delivered from said treatment shaft onto saidcoil stack supporting bottom.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said guide means includes amember having an upper oblique portion for defiecting the successivecoils downwardly into said cylinder and onto said supporting bottom anda substantially vertical portion for engaging the ends of the coil stackand urging them against said guide cylinder interior.

9. A device according to claim 8 including a rotatable rim carried atthe upper end of said cylinder, motor means including a gear connectedto said rim and drivingly rotating said rim, and a mouth plate at theupper end of said rim having an oblique wall for deflecting wiredownwardly into said cylinder.

10. A method of treating wire after it is coiled in a heated state uponleaving the rolling mill and also treated by cooling, and as the wire ismoved downwardly in a cooling shaft after the coils are formed,comprising accumulating the coils of wire adjacent the bottom of thecooling shaft until a predetermined amount is collected in a coiledstack, moving the support for the coiled stack away and permitting thestack to drop downwardly, and returning the support to accumulate a fewcoils of a new stack while maintaining a connection between the newstack and the previous Stack, and thereafter cutting the cableconnecting the dropped stack from the new stack.

11. A device for collecting individual and groups of wire windings suchas from a treating shaft comprising means defining a verticalcylindrical shaft, a rotatable member adjacent the upper end of saidshaft including a wire coil guiding arm extending into said shaft, ashaft bottom including at least two separable bottom parts, means forguiding said shaft bottom parts for movement apart to open said shaftand for movement together to close said shaft, means for directing acontinuous length of coiled wire to the top of said cylinder and forpermitting it to fall downwardly onto said bottom, means to rotate saidmember with said guiding arm to form the wire as it is accumulated ontosaid bottom, means connected to said separable bottom parts to open saidbottom parts after a predetermined accumulation of wire has formed onsaid bottom parts to drop a stack therebetween below said shaft, andcutting means located below said shaft engageable with the wire betweena dropped stack and the coiled wire being directed to said shaft bottomfor cutting the wire between successive coiled stacks.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said means for guiding saidshaft bottom parts includes a guideway formed on each side of the bottomof said shaft, roll means supporting said bottom parts for movementalong said guideway, said guiding arm including a member extendingobliquely downwardly from the rim of said shaft and terminating in aportion extending into said shaft for contacting the ends of the wirebeing formed to urge them against the opposite wall of said shaft, saidcutting means including means to direct the length of wire between thedropped stack and the coiled wire being directed to said shaft bottomand move it into association with said cutting means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES W. LANHAM, PrimaryExaminer LOWELL A. LARSON, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R.

